Key Staff

Director of Restaurant Operations

Heimann first joined The Vinoy® Renaissance St. Petersburg Resort & Golf Club in 1995 as a restaurant chef of the award-winning Marchands dining room, as well as a banquet chef and executive sous chef before assuming the top spot of the resort's culinary team. A graduate of Kendall Culinary School in Chicago, he held several culinary positions throughout the Chicago area before moving to Florida. Chef Heimann also helped author the resort's first cookbook,Taste the Vinoy - Without Reservations,which was launched in New York City at the James Beard House in 2004.

Alon Hershkowitz - Executive Sous Chef

A native to Israel,Hershkowitz brings more than 27 years of culinary expertise and a noteworthy education gained at Tadmor School of Culinary Arts and Hotel keeping in Israel to The Vinoy. With an extensive knowledge in Jewish dietary laws, Hershkowitz hosted the 50th anniversary party for the Israeli Consulate in Miami Beach and led the charge of the first kosher kitchen at Eden Roc Miami Beach. He also served on the opening teams for both The Ritz-Carlton South Beach and The Ritz-Carlton Herzliya in Israel. Hershkowitz's resume includes quality hotel culinary experience from Tel Aviv to Miami, where he cooked for celebrities such as Mariah Carey, Jamie Foxx and Hillary Clinton and top media outlets like the Food Network.

Chris Starman- Senior Catering Sales Executive

Starman is a graduate of University of Central Florida with a degree in Business Administration specializing in Hospitality Management. While attending college, he began working with Houston's Restaurants where he traveled across the country managing every aspect from the kitchen to the service team.

In 2002,Starman then accepted his next challenge by joining The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, where he assume numerous positions over his 11-year career with the company. He now serves as senior catering sales executive at The Vinoy® Renaissance St. Petersburg Resort & Golf Club.